Tule Elk State Reserve

Tule Elk State Reserve. A California State Park. , Back From the Brink of Extinction , Half a million tule elk once roamed the marshes and grasslands of California. The Gold Rush began an era of commercial hunting and agricultural practices that decimated the elk and their habitat. , In 1874, a single pair of elk was observed in the tule marshes on the Kern County ranch of Miller and Lux. Cattleman Henry Miller led an effort to protect them. , Over time their numbers increased. Legislation established a sanctuary for them here in 1932. It proved too small to support the growing herd size. A relocation program moved elk to other suitable sites. , This Reserve continues to help establish other free roaming herds throughout California. , The come back of the tule elk from near extinction is one of the true success stories in wildlife management. , Varieties of Deer , Elk are members of the deer family. All have split hoofs and grow antlers. The moose is its largest living member; elk are the second largest; and the South American pudu is the smallest. Of the North American elk, tule elk are the smallest, and most specialized and restricted in range. , Tule Elk Fun Facts , Tule elk are the only elk native just to California. , Once nearly extinct, today about 4,000 tule elk live in 22 different herds statewide. , Adults can run 30 miles per hour for short distances, 22 mph for long stretches. , Their light colored coat helps keep them cool. , Tule elk's larger teeth are designed for eating grasses. , They chew their cud like cows. , A set of elk antlers can weigh up to 40 pounds. , Few bulls successfully breed; most remain bachelors and never mate. , Mature elk can kill a coyote with their hooves. , A mature female may have 6 to 10 calves in her lifetime. , Calves are born after 8½ months gestation. , Usually a single calf is born, twins are rare. , Twelve years is an average lifespan for wild elk, 25 years is the longest they live in captivity.